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3Srief JJfUmotr 

OF 

THE LIFE AND WRITINGS 


OF 


JOHN BRITTON. 


LONDON: 

PRINTED BY J. MOVES, BOUVERIE STREET. 




A 


3$rief Memoir 


OF 


THE LIFE AND WRITINGS 


OF 


JOHN BRITTON, 

F.S.A.—F.R.S.L., &c. 


u We may regard our past life as a continued, though irregular, course 
of education ; and the discipline has consisted of instruction, companionship, 
reading, and the diversified influences of the world.” 

Foster’s Essays . 



LONDON: 

PRINTED fly J. MOVES, BOUVERIE STREET. 


1825i 


[Not for sale.] 






205449 

’15 



| 


a true anil faalueii jfrienii. 


Who has a heart to feel for, and sy mpathise with, 
the unmerited misfortunes of men of talent, and 
is ever eager to mitigate and to relieve them ,— 
who takes a warm interest in the progressive 
improvement of all classes of polite literature and 
the arts, — who, to the character of a good father 
and husband, joins that of a genuine philan¬ 
thropist, this Memoir is addressed by 

Sept. 1 1825. THE AUTHOR. 

TO JOHN BROAD LEY, ESQ., F.S.A. $fC. 


South Ella , Yorkshire. 



•Brief jWemotr 


OF 


JOHN BRITTON, 

forming part of the preface to the third volume of 

THE BEAUTIES OF WILTSHIRE. 


For the purpose of obliging a few friends, who 
have witnessed the author’s conduct through 
some of his vicissitudes in life, and taken an 
interest in his progressive advancement in the 
dignified career of literature and art; and for 
such others as may have imbibed the contagion 
of Biblio-mania , this memoir is printed in its 
present style and form. Being written hastily, 
at several distant intervals, without any matured 
plan, and without any other motive than to 
explain the cause of the long delay in publishing 
the third volume of a work, after an interval 
of twenty-four years from the time of issuing 
the preceding volumes, the author is fearful that 
the fastidious critic may descry many defects in 
style and matter; but he feels assured that every 



8 


MEMOIR OF J. BRITTON. 


man of kind and benevolent feelings will readily 
make the necessary allowances, and, upon such an 
occasion, construe every word and passage to the 
advantage of the writer rather than to his injury. 

It can scarcely be requisite to write a line 
either to justify, or to apologise, for the present 
essay. Many examples might be adduced as pre¬ 
cedents, most, if not all of which, have been 
generally approved. Dr. Franklin, Sterne, 
Marmontel, Holcroft, William Hutton, 
W. Gifford, Pennant, Coleridge, S. Drew, 
Beloe, Gibbon, Hume, and Butler, have af¬ 
forded the reading world both amusement and 
instruction by the memoirs and reminiscences 
have written and published of themselves. 
Mr. Foster has also indulged and obliged us with 

■j 

a most valuable and philosophical essay “ on a 
man’s writing memoirs of himself. ” 

The amiable character and cheerful temper 
of Mr. Hutton , of Birmingham, have been im¬ 
parted to his memoir and other writings, and have 
rendered them both amusing and interesting : 
they are replete with philanthropy and pathos. 
In the memoirs of Gifford and Holcroft , we 

behold, with admiration and delight, the force of 

: } , 

genius, and the power of talent, struggling with 

, * Ski' ^ 1 ' •» ' *. m C f ^ •' I - } 

and surmounting penury and hardships ; and at 
last obtaining dignified stations in the temple of 
fame. The prodigious advancement of Franklin , 



MEMOIR OF J. BRITTON. 


9 


from the station of a printer’s boy, or, vulgo , 
“ devil,” to that of being employed on embassies 
from his native land to foreign courts, is a noble 
stimulus to emulation, and a gratifying reward to 
energy and enterprise. 

The “ plain unvarnished tale” of my friend 
S. Drew , in the preface to his Essay on the 
“ Identity and General Resurrection of the Human 
Body,” is another record of the capacity of the 
human mind — of its resources, and its incom¬ 
prehensible powers. In Butler’s “ Reminis¬ 
cences” we see a laudable example of industry, 
perseverance, and vigorous talent. The young 
literary adventurer will derive much advantage 
and excitement from the “ Memoirs of the Life 
and Writings of Edward Gibbon, composed by 
himself,” and published in the first volume of his 
“ Miscellaneous Works.” These memoirs, and 
his different letters, says his editor. Lord Shef¬ 
field, will be found to form “ a complete picture 
of his talents, his disposition, his studies, and his 
attainments.” “ Few men, I believe, have ever 
so fully unveiled their own character, by a 
minute narration of their sentiments and pursuits, 
as Mr. Gibbon will here be found to have done; 
not with study and labour — not with an affected 
frankness—but with a genuine confession of 
his little foibles and peculiarities, and a good 


10 


MEMOIR OF J. BRITTON. 


humoured and natural display of his own conduct 
and opinions/' 

But it is unnecessary to dilate upon this 
subject. The examples enumerated are suffi¬ 
cient to prove that an author may write his own 
memoir, without being guilty either of egotism 
or of an overweening vanity. My primary 
purpose, as I have stated, was to explain the 
cause of an almost unprecedented delay; my 
secondary one has been to excite emulation and 
enterprise, by shewing the gratifying results of 
a life of industry and perseverance. 


PREFACE, 


INCLUDING 

A BRIEF MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 


The publication of a third volume of a literary 
work; after the lapse of twenty-four years from 
the appearance of its precursors, will surprise a 
stranger, and may, possibly, excite a different, 
but not a very courteous feeling, in those who have 
taken an interest, or felt any curiosity, about the 
completion of the undertaking. But whatever may 
have been the disappointment or the solicitude 
of others, mine has unquestionably been much 
greater; for, in addition to the painful feelings 
of self-reproach, I have had to bear up against a 
repetition of sarcastic and censorious inquiries, an 
impeachment of integrity, and direct, as well as 
indirect, accusations of various kinds. Numerous, 
indeed, have been the mortifying reflections 
which I have experienced on this subject, and 
as frequently have I resolved to complete the 
work, and thus immediately remove the cause 
of so much anxiety; but uncontrollable engage- 



12 PREFACE. 

ments, which I had never anticipated, have suc¬ 
cessively arisen to frustrate those resolves, and 
to direct my attention and resources to other 
literary works. Had I either been idle, or em¬ 
ployed merely in private and personal concerns, I 
could neither hope for forgiveness, nor for a remis¬ 
sion of the smallest portion of that censure which 
would justly attach to me; — but when I review 
the period of time to which I have alluded, and 
find that nearly the whole of it has been actively 
and zealously devoted to the literary public — that 
I have laboured hard, both bodily and mentally, to 
supply descriptive and historical gratification for 
the lovers of topography and antiquity,— and have 
executed, perhaps, more literary works, # within 

# A list of these will be found at the end of this volume, 
and is appended to it in justification of the above assertion, 
and to shew what perseverance and devotion to a favourite 
object can accomplish. Though the execution of these works 
has evidently been the result of much labour, both of body and 
mind, I have found time to write many sheets in “ Dr. Rees’s 
Cyclopaedia in the seven volumes of the “ Annual Review 
in the “ Picture of Londonin the “ Beauties of England 
and Wales;” and in other miscellaneous publications. Se¬ 
veral public institutions and societies, connected with lite¬ 
rature, art, and science, have likewise engrossed much of my 
time and solicitude; whilst local duties, business, and domestic 
concerns have also demanded their full share of attention; 
yet I commenced my literary career late in life, moved slowly 
and cautiously onwards, and cannot help regretting that 
much time has been mispent. 



APOLOGY — EXPLANATION. 


13 


twenty-five years, than any other English author, 

I confess that my mind is considerably relieved, 
and that, in the reveries of the moment, I be¬ 
hold the benignant tear of the “recording angel” 
falling on the accusing page, and “ blotting 
out for ever” the record of my fault. That 
I have erred, I will not pretend to deny; and 
that the purchaser of the former portion of 
the work has a right to complain, is readily 
admitted; but the style and manner in which the 
present volume is executed, when compared with 
its elder brethren, will, I trust, compensate for 
the long delay in its promised appearance, and 
redeem me from further censure. Reflecting on 
these circumstances, I am involuntarily impelled 
to review myself, and endeavour to call to mind 
and to place upon record some of those incidents, 
or incitements, which led me to embark in Litera¬ 
ture as a profession, and to fix on Topography 
and Antiquities as the particular branches of my 
study and pursuit. 

It is hoped, that it will neither be deemed 
irrelevant nor arrogant, to detail a few parti¬ 
culars respecting my personal history, and thereby 
trace the origin and progress of the “ Beauties of 
Wiltshire.” They all belong to the county, and 
will hereafter be objects of inquiry, and perhaps 
of consequence, in the estimation of future topo¬ 
graphers and antiquaries. 


14 V PREFACE. 

My native place is Kington St. Michael, and 
1 was born in the month of July 1771 . Of my 
ancestors, parents, and preceptors, or school¬ 
masters, I have nothing to boast, and very little 
to say; for I am not acquainted with any traits 
or facts relative to them, which are deserving of 
literary record or remark. They were all, I 
believe, in humble stations of life, and almost 
unknown beyond the confines of their respective 
neighbourhoods. Yet I have heard my parents, 
and their parents, talk vauntingly of “ great 
relations” — of “ rich country squires, and West 
India proprietors, among their forefathers” — 
of “ unlawful and unjust dispossession of pro¬ 
perty”— of “ might overcoming right” — and 
that the Brittons and the Hilliers (my mother's 
name) were of “ old standing”—“ good descent” 
— “ respectable families” — and some of them 
“ right worshipful,” in the counties of Wilts, 
Somerset, and Gloucester. In boyish days, 
these vague, undefined, and probably exagge¬ 
rated stories, excited a little wonder, and some 
share of vanity. They served to raise, in ima¬ 
gination, the humble tradesman to rank himself 
with the parson and the squire. These “ family 
annals,” combined with the accounts that were 
conveyed to me of London, of its riches, of its 
grandeur, and of its wonders, might have pro¬ 
duced effects on my young, and rather vivid 




SCHOOL DAYS. 


15 


mind, which I could neither comprehend at the 
time, nor can now fully ascertain and develop. 
The juvenile associations of a village, remote 
from cities or large towns, are neither cultivated 
in taste, calculated to improve the mind, nor to 
inspire emulation;—but as far back as memory 
can trace any image or impression, I was eager 
and ardent to surpass my playmates and school¬ 
fellows, and ever sought the company of my 
superiors in age and knowledge. Placed succes¬ 
sively at four different rustic schools, I was con¬ 
sidered to make rapid progress in such education 
as was then imparted, and which consisted of a 
mechanical, dull routine of spelling, reading, 
writing, and “ summing” — or arithmetic. I do 
not remember ever to have seen a book, in either 
of the schools, of any other description than 
Fenning’s, Dyche’s, and Dilworth’s Spelling- 
books and Grammars, iEsop’s Fables, the Bible, 
and two or three Dictionaries.* 

I cannot, without deep regret and mortifi- 


# So completely illiterate were the “ Wiltshire schools” in 
my boyish days, (almost half a century back,) that when I 
was an apprentice in London, at the age of seventeen, and 
directed to fetch “ Guthrie’s Geographical Grammar” from 
the dining-room to the drawing-room, I did not understand 
what was meant. My master was “ high enough” to possess 
these elegancies , and was bookish, or learned, enough to have 
a dozen or twenty volumes in his library. 



16 


PREFACE. 

cation, reflect on the system, or rather want of 
system, of education pursued by the different 
schoolmasters with whom I was placed. For 
instead of teaching “ the young idea how to 
shoot”—instead of stimulating ambition, exciting 
emulation, and conveying, through the medium 
of words, useful and practical information— 
instead of inculcating, even in one solitary in¬ 
stance, the important precept, that scholastic edu¬ 
cation is intended to qualify the pupil for his future 
destination in life, and will be either really ser¬ 
viceable or absolutely useless, in proportion to his 
own industry and acquirements, they merely pur¬ 
sued a mechanical process of tuition, not at all 
calculated to rouse the mental energies; and I 
cannot charge my memory with one valuable or 
beneficial maxim, or piece of sound information, 
derived from that source. The school, however, 
was always delightful to me, and its routine of 
tasks and duties was easily and rapidly performed; 
but these tasks appear, now, only to have been 
directed to discipline the hand to writing, and 
the memory to accounts and words. At such 
schools, in a rude and truly illiterate village,* 

* I do not recollect that I ever beheld a newspaper before 
the age of fifteen, nor did I ever hear of a magazine, review, 
or any book, but a few novels, which my elder sister occa¬ 
sionally obtained from the neighbouring town of Chippenham. 
One event, of rather a literary nature, is, however, freshin 



FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 


17 


and at a solitary farm-house belonging to my 
grandfather, were the first fourteen years of my 
life spent—-I had almost said mispent. Many 
anecdotes and incidents belonging to this period 
might be detailed, as tending to characterise the 
times, and shew the deplorable state of the 
lower classes of society, were I disposed to 
extend the present memoir; hut as my object is 
to sketch briefly, but faithfully, the leading events 
of my life, I shall forbear to narrate any occur¬ 
rences that did not seem either directly or in¬ 
directly to lead to my present condition and 
circumstances.* 

my memory. A sale of the household goods and effects of 
** Squire White,” who w as the only gentleman of landed pro¬ 
perty in the village, and who occupied the “ great house,” 
occurred when I was about thirteen years of age; and a lot 
of books, nine in number, was knocked down to me for one 
shilling. Among them w r ere, “ Robinson Crusoe,” the 
“ Pilgrim’s Progress,” and the “ Life of Peter, Czar of Mus¬ 
covy;” all of w T hich I read with avidity; and I longed to be 
cast on a desolate island, and meet with a “ man Friday;” 
or even to encounter some of the adventures of “ Christian,” 
in the Pilgrim’s Progress. That the second work was an 
allegory, and the first fictitious, never came into my mind. 

# Many poets and essayists have eulogised rustic life and 
manners, as being replete with sylvan joys—arcadian scenes— 
primeval innocence—and unsophisticated pleasures. Alas! 
these are but the closet dreams of metropolitan poets and 
visionary enthusiasts; for I fear that all their pleasing pictures 
are wholly drawn from imagination, and not from nature. The 


18 


PREFACE. 


At a very early period, I was led to compare 
and contrast a certain degree of refinement in 

genuine rustics, 1 believe, in all counties, and, I apprehend, 
in all nations, have very little more sagacity than the brutes 
with which they associate, and of whose natures they par¬ 
take : for instance, the ploughman is as dull, slow, and 
thoughtless as the horses he drives ; but, having power over 
the brutes, he exerts it upon every occasion as caprice or pas¬ 
sion sways him. The cow-herd is very similar to the other : in 
the shepherd we perceive a little more of humanity and in¬ 
offensiveness of character, probably derived from the natural 
mildness of the animals with which he is in constant society. 
But even the shepherd too commonly acts the tyrant and 
the savage, by exercising wanton and needless cruelty over 
his unconscious flock. Every deviation in the sheep from 
the direct road, or line of demarcation, is punished by the 
worrying of the merciless cur, which seems ever watchful and 
eager to obey the master’s cruel orders. I have witnessed . 
hundreds of instances where animals have been brutally 
beaten about the head, &c., for faults which were wholly 
attributable to the neglect or stupidity of their masters. Yet 
there are thousands of persons who reprobate the conduct of 
Mr. Martin, for obtaining an act of parliament to check and 
punish cruelty to animals. The same class of persons also 
wish to prohibit every species of education, and consequent 
amelioration, among the lower orders of society. In spite of 
obstinacy, of vulgar intolerance, and the besotted prejudices 
of some, the good and glorious work of education is making 
rapid advances in this intellectual and affluent country ; and, 
aided as it is by men of such enlightened minds and ardent 
spirits as Mr. Brougham, Dr. Birkbeck, Mr. T. Campbell, 
&c., we may fairly anticipate, that all classes of Englishmen 
must become wiser and better as their minds become more 
cultivated and more expanded. 


PARENTS AND RELATIONS. 


19 


the manners of an uncle and his family, from 
London, who annually visited our part of the 
country, with the “ innocent rusticity” of the 
villagers. This uncle had obtained a respectable 
situation in the Chancery office, had lived and 
moved in rather a genteel sphere of life, and was 
enabled to spend nearly three months — the long 
law vacation — in the country. I was fortunately 
invited to make one of the party, during this 
periodical sojourn in Wiltshire and Gloucester¬ 
shire, and well remember to have spent four or five 
autumns in this way, with much enjoyment at the 
time, and material advantage for the future. It 
was this association that led me to think of, and 
hope to see, London—it was then I first im¬ 
bibed the feeling of ambition—became enamoured 
of what appeared “ genteel dress,” genteel man¬ 
ners, and refined discourse and habits, compared 
with the clownish deportment, the uneducated and 
uncouth language, and the broad, prolonged pro¬ 
nunciation of my village companions. Kington 
now lost all its charms: I anxiously anticipated the 
annual visits of my London relatives, by whom I 
was received as an associate till I had reached the 
age of fourteen. About this period, my parents 
had become embarrassed by a succession of mis¬ 
fortunes. My father had conducted business for 
many years as a baker and maltster, had kept a 
country shop, and was respected as an honest 



» 


20 PREFACE. 

and upright man. For some years all appeared 
prosperous and happy; but the family increasing 
to ten children, necessarily augmented cares and 
expenses—rivals in business subtracted from the 
usual profits of trade; an unfortunate connexion 
with a miller, who might be truly called a “ rogue 
in grain,” without a misnomer, and who sent bad 
flour and charged high prices, was the cause of a 
failure in business, and consequent ruin; loss of 
credit occasioned a loss of the mental faculties in 
my father, and he became insensible to the hopes 
and fears of life, and at length sank into the 
grave. His distressed widow struggled for some 
time afterwards, to provide for herself and four 
of the youngest children; but her constitution 
and life fell under the weight of her anxieties. 
A sister, about sixteen years of age only, was 
left in charge of a house, a small business, and 
two younger brothers. She is described to have 
acted with singular prudence and industry, till a 
relation came to the house, and offered her pro¬ 
tection and assistance. Instead of which, how¬ 
ever, he lived for some time on the residue of 
the property, and then left the orphans to po¬ 
verty and to the parish. In this extremity, my 
sister obtained a friend, who placed her with a 
milliner at Chippenham, whence she removed to 
Bath, and was comfortably established in business 
there, when that insidious enemy to human exist- 



FAMILY TROUBLES. 


21 


ence, a pulmonary consumption, terminated her 
worldly career, in the prime of life. One of the 
boys, who had been settled in London for six or 
seven years, next fell a sacrifice to the same dis¬ 
order : the other, after serving an apprenticeship 
to a silversmith, has advanced himself to a respect¬ 
able line of business. These are some of the 
vicissitudes incident to human life, manifesting 
the trials that man is subject to in his short 
pilgrimage. The annals of every family would 
afford useful, and often important, lessons to 
future ages, were they duly recorded; and how¬ 
ever insignificant the present memoir may ap¬ 
pear to the eye of pride, it may be productive of 
valuable results on certain emulous minds. If 
romances can afford any rational amusement, the 
real history of man must be more than amusing, 
by being at once interesting and valuable. 

About the age of fourteen I was destined to 
visit my London uncle , in a very different capa¬ 
city from that I had occupied on any former oc¬ 
casion, for I was now to be treated and employed 
as a servant. This was not considered by me as 
a hardship, or even a mortification, for it pre¬ 
sented variety, novelty, and a source of improve¬ 
ment. It was also one step on the road towards 
London, that mysterious object of a villager’s 
contemplation. My discipline and labours be¬ 
came severe and heavy, considering my age and 


22 


PREFACE. 

strength, and also considering that I had pre¬ 
viously been an idler. The relation I served 
was strict, harsh, and passionate.^ Though 

# Ungovernable passion, bordering on insanity, was the 
characteristic affliction of nearly all the family of the Hilliers. 
In my boyhood, I often saw battles between my grandfather 
and grandmother, these with their children, and the latter 
with “ one another/’ Throwing missile and dangerous 
weapons at each other, swearing in the most vehement and 
vulgar manner, and hurling hatchets, pitchforks, stones, &c., 
at horses, cows, calves, and other animals, were incidents of 
almost every day occurrence. Strange to say, that though 

murder seemed almost inevitable from many of these des- 

• 

perate freaks of passion, I do not know that it ever ensued. 
Such ebullitions of frenzy were fortunately of short duration, 
and they were always followed by equally poignant sorrow 
and humiliation. These vices and follies of the human race, 
like most other vices, are found to increase with age, unless 
early checked by the dread of punishment, or by the exertion 
of true philosophy. I was constitutionally a Hillier : in 
boyish days I was often a slave to such passionate excite¬ 
ments, and I remember to have made myself frequently 
ridiculous, and even contemptible, by giving way to passion. 
Feeling seriously the consequences of such intemperance, 
— by reading “ Watts’s Logic,” his “ Improvement of the 
Mind,” “ An Essay on the Conduct of the Passions and 
Affections,” and some other books of that class, during my 
apprenticeship—and by reflecting much in solitude,—T 
successfully checked, and almost subdued, this degrading bias 
of my natural disposition. 

“ Passions may be tam’d and brought from their excess, 

And watch’d by reason, into gentleness.” 


Sir R. Howard. 


FIRST VISIT TO LONDON. 


23 


prompt and active myself, it was my fate to 
suffer much under his discipline. After passing 
three months thus in the village of Weston, I 
took leave of my parents and family, receiving, on 
my departure, two small tokens of remembrance 
from my mother. That parting is fresh in my 
memory, as well as the arrangements I had made 
for a speedy return; my stock of marbles, and 
other boyish property, was carefully deposited 
in certain secret places; and the departure from 
my native village, soon after sunrise, seems as 
though it were an event of yesterday. So 
tenacious is memory of occurrences which, at 
certain times in life, engross all the thoughts. 
My parents were left—my home forsaken — and 
my mind was anxiously, but douhtingly, contem¬ 
plating the future. The journey to London, on 
a coach, which travelled at little more than five 
miles an hour, and which reached the metropolis 
late at night, was fatiguing to the body; but the 
mind was fully occupied and amused, and more 
peculiarly so when passing through Hammer¬ 
smith, Kensington, Piccadilly, &c., all of which 
were illumined by thousands of lamps, and af¬ 
forded abundant matter for curiosity and sur¬ 
prise. The most forcible impressions were, that 
I should never reach Clerkenwell Close,—that 
London was endless, — and that to reside in 
kitchens, under ground, was unnatural and 


24 PREFACE. 

inhuman. My uncle very soon apprenticed me, for 
six years, to a wine merchant, without consulting 
either my inclination, or apparently caring about 
the result. These six years were dragged on as 
a lengthened and galling chain; for my health, 
always weakly, was greatly impaired by constant 
confinement in damp, murky cellars. My occu¬ 
pation was a continued series of bodily labour, 
without mental excitement or amusement—every 
succeeding day presented only a dull, monotonous 
repetition of the former; there appeared nothing 
to learn, and no prospect of reward or advance¬ 
ment beyond that of a common servant. The 
porters in the business learnt as much as the 
apprentice; yet they were rewarded by annual 
or weekly salaries. I felt my situation irksome 
and miserable, and ventured to remonstrate with 
my master and uncle, but without any remission 
of labour, or improvement in comfort.- My health 
becoming more and more reduced, with scarcely 
a prospect of recovery, my master at length gave 
up about half a year of my service, presented me 
with two guineas, instead of twenty which he 
had engaged to do, and sent me into the world to 
shift for myself. 

It is necessary to remark, that during this 
apprenticeship—this immurement in a London 
cavern — I stole an occasional half hour in a 
morning, between seven and eight o'clock, to look 



EARLY STUDIES AND HABITS. 


25 


at the sky, breathe a little fresh air, and visit two 
book-stalls in the vicinity of my “ prison cave.” 
The rational food and medicine obtained from 
these sources, not only supported life, but fur¬ 
nished that information which enabled me to 
ascertain the seat of certain diseases which had 
• long preyed on my frame, and threatened its 
dissolution. After purchasing and reading Ches- 
seldon’s “ Anatomy,” Quincy's “ Dispensatory,” 
some “ Treatises on Consumption,” Buchan's 
“ Domestic Medicine,” Tissot’s “ Essay on Dis¬ 
eases incident to Sedentary People,” Cornaro 
“ on Health and Long Life,” and several other 
medical and anatomical works, I was flat¬ 
tered with the persuasion that I knew my own 
constitution, its diseases, and the regimen and 
medicines necessary to restore and preserve 
health. Dr. Dodd's “ Reflections on Death,” 
his “ Thoughts in Prison,” and all his other 
writings, were familiar to me at this time : as 
were Ray's “ Wisdom of God manifested in 
the Works of the Creation,” Derham's “ Astro 
and Physico Theology,” as well as Benjamin 
Martin's numerous and pleasing writings on 
Natural and Experimental Philosophy. The 
miscellaneous works of Smollet, Fielding, Sterne, 
&c., were likewise perused with great avidity; 
but all the reading I could indulge in, during 
my term of legal English slavery, was by 


26 


PREFACE. 


candle light, in the cellar, and at occasional 
intervals only, not of leisure, but of time ab¬ 
stracted from systematic duties. To compensate 
for this time, I was compelled to labour with 
additional exertion, and to adopt the most 
rapid modes of performing my tasks. To bottle 
off, and cork, a certain number of dozens of 
wine, was required to constitute a day’s work, 
and this I could generally accomplish in ten or 
eleven hours, and I then had three or four hours 
for my favourite pursuit of reading. Unac¬ 
quainted with any literary or scientific persons 
before I had reached my twentieth year, my 
studies, or rather bookish amusements, were 
very desultory and miscellaneous. They were 
not directed to any particular object, and were 
consequently unavailable to any useful end. 
Towards the termination of my apprenticeship, 
I fortunately became acquainted, in my morning 
walks, with a person who was wholly employed 
in, and obtained a very respectable livelihood by, 
painting the figures, &c. on watch faces. He was 
fond of books, had purchased many volumes, and 
as his business did not require any exertion of 
thought, he could listen to the reading of others, 
or enter into conversation, without discon¬ 
tinuing his usual occupation. This person was 
my first, and principal, or, indeed, my only 
mentor and guide. He lent and bought me 


LITERARY PARTNERSHIP. 


27 


books, and gave me useful and judicious advice. 
His name is Essex: he is yet living, and, I 
hope, happy; for he was an industrious and 
well-informed man. He always seemed to me 
to be a sound philosopher, inasmuch as he prac¬ 
tised the precepts he inculcated, and afforded a 
most exemplary pattern to a large family, whom 
he reared and educated respectably. At Mr. 
Essex’s shop I became acquainted with Dr. 
Towers and Mr. Brayley; and to the latter 
gentleman I am more indebted for literary ac¬ 
quirements, and literary practice, than to any 
other person. He, however, was articled to a 
mechanical trade, but was neither so much nor 
so irksomely occupied as myself. He read with 
avidity, and early evinced literary talents both 
in prose and verse. It is a curious fact, that we 
entered into “ partnership” to publish a single 
ballad or song, which was written by Mr. Brayley, 
and intituled “ The Guinea Pig .” It was allusive 
to the passing of an act to levy one guinea per 
head on every person who used hair-powder. 
Though ridiculous in the extreme,—for so the 
author himself characterises it, as a poetical 
effort,—it was printed on “ a fine wire-wove 
paper,” — a novelty in this class of literature, 
and charged “ one penny.” Many thousands 
were sold; for notwithstanding that this song 
was “ entered at Stationers’ Hall,” one Evans, a 


28 


PREFACE. 


noted printer of ballads in Long Lane, pirated 
our property, and his itinerant retailers of poetry 
and music hawked and sung it all over the me¬ 
tropolis. Whilst the sale was yet rife, Evans 
declared that he had sold upwards of 70,000 
copies. — A choice paper impression of this 
ballad, which has a wood-cut, from one of 
Bewick’s Pigs, at the top, will be sought for as 
an “ extra rare ” curiosity, by some confirmed 
Biblio -maniac, at no remote period. Strange as 
it may appear, it may be safely affirmed that 
to this junction and circumstance are to be 
attributed the “ Beauties of Wiltshire,” the 
“ Beauties of England and Wales,” the “ Ar¬ 
chitectural” and “ Cathedral Antiquities,” the 
“ History, &c. of Westminster Abbey,” as well 
as all the other works that have been jointly 
and separately written by us.* On the present 

# Besides writing nearly the whole of the first six volumes 
of the “ Beauties of England and Wales,” Mr. Brayley is 
author of the History of Kent, and part of London, con¬ 
sisting of three volumes, in that work. He also produced, (in 
conjunction with Mr. Herbert,) a volume of Poems, 8vo., 
and “ The History, &c. of Lambeth Palace,” 4to. The 
“ History of Thanet and the Cinque Ports,” 2 vols. 1817 ; 
“ Popular Pastimes,” 4to. 1816; “ Descriptive Sketches in 
Islington,” &c. 4to. 1819; and '* Topographical Sketches of 
Brighthelmstone,” 8vo. 1824, were also written by him. 
But his chief literary work is “ The History and Antiquities 
of Westminster Abbey,” 2 vols. 4to. 1818-1823; which, for 



ORIGIN OF “ THE BEAUTIES OF WILTSHIRE.” 29 

occasion, however, I must forbear entering 
further into auto-biography, fearing that the 
narrative might be regarded as trifling or ego¬ 
tistical ; although the vicissitudes I experienced, 
after being released from my cell,:—the priva¬ 
tions I endured—my pedestrian journey from 
London to Plymouth and back—my predilection 
for theatrical amusements, and for reading and 
debating societies, and my occupations in wine 
cellars, counting houses, and law offices, would 
collectively afford a series of not uninteresting 
events and subjects, both for reflection and for 
description. 

In consequence of writing an occasional 
essay for “ the Sporting Magazine,” I became 
acquainted with Mr. Wheble, the proprietor of 
that miscellany, who was also joint proprietor 
and editor of “ the County Chronicle,” a weekly 
newspaper. This gentleman, in the year 1784, 
whilst residing at Salisbury, was induced to 
undertake a literary work intituled “ the Beauties 
of Wiltshire,” which he proposed to publish in 

diligent and cautious investigation, for fulness of information, 
and impartial development of facts, I am confident will ever 
reflect the highest credit on my worthy and esteemed friend 
and coadjutor. His “ Londiniana,” 5 vols. small 8vo., and 
his “ Historical Descriptions of the London Theatres,” 4to., 
are now in the press. 


30 


PREFACE. 


two volumes, and for which he had solicited and 
obtained subscriptions.* Soon afterwards, he 


# The following is a copy of the printed “ Proposals” 
(issued by Mr. Wheble), which may be regarded as a 
curiosity. It is very evident, that the humble and worthy 
“ Compiler” could not have made any very accurate cal¬ 
culation of expenses, receipts, or materials to constitute his 
work : — 

“ Proposals for Publishing by Subscription, in Two 
Volumes, crown octavo, (embellished with Engravings,) a 
Work entitled the ‘ Beauties of Wiltshireto contain 
a Descriptive Account of the Houses, Gardens, Anti¬ 
quities, Paintings, Sculptures, and other Ornaments of 
taste and magnificence, that are to be seen at the Country 
Seats of the principal Nobility and Gentry in the County of 
Wilts. To comprise, also, a General Description of the 
County; including what is curious and entertaining relative 
to the History of Wiltshire. 

“ The price of the two volumes will be Ten Shillings; 
half to be paid at the time of subscribing, and the remainder 
on the deliverv of the books. 

<f Subscriptions are received by J. Wheble, the Compiler 
of the work, at his house in the Close, and Mr. Easton, 
Salisbury; Mr. Cruttwell, Mr. Meyler, and the several book¬ 
sellers in Bath ; by all the booksellers in Bristol; Mr. Forty, 
Chippenham; Mrs. Swayne. Devizes ; Mr. Harold, Marl¬ 
borough ; Mr. Kearsley, Fleet-street, and Mr. Wilkie, St. 
Paul’s Churchyard, London. 

“ To the Public. — The Work here proposed has been 
thought a necessary and a laudable undertaking; insomuch, 
that many have expressed their surprise it was never at¬ 
tempted before. 


31 


ORIGINAL PROPOSALS. 

settled in London, where he became so fully 
occupied in business, that Wiltshire and its 

That the County of Wilts (hitherto not generally de¬ 
scribed) affords ample scope for a publication of the kind, is 
obvious: the remains of antiquity, the events of time, and the 
fair ornaments of the present day, all conspire to furnish 
subjects the most interesting and delightful; these, so de¬ 
servedly the objects of a literary pursuit, have engaged the 
compiler’s attention ; and in order that his humble endeavours 
may meet the public eye with correctness, the whole will be 
revised by persons whose taste and judgment, he presumes, 
will render the work in some degree worthy the patronage to 
which it aspires. 

<f Whilst the subscriptions of the nobility and gentry are 
most respectfully solicited, the compiler begs leave to suggest 
the great obligations he should be under for any manuscripts 
or other particulars relating to the history of Wiltshire, which 
may be considered as a favour to himself, and a compliment 
to the public. 

“ The size of the Engravings will be a small oval, six 
inches wide, and three and a half inches high. This is men¬ 
tioned, in case any lady or gentleman may choose to enrich the 
work with drawings for either of the Copper-plates. 

“ The present subscribers consist of near 300 of the prin¬ 
cipal nobility and gentry of Wiltshire, and the neighbouring 
counties.” 


It is proper to subjoin to this account a copy of an Adver¬ 
tisement which Mr. Wheble published in the county papers, 
in the year 1800, on the publication of the first two volumes 
of the present work :— 

“ Beauties of Wiltshire. —As names, with subscrip¬ 
tions, were some years ago obtained for a work of the above 
title, the subscribers are respectfully informed that it is 




32 


PREFACE. 


Beauties were altogether forsaken. In my occa¬ 
sional intercourse with him, he learnt that I was 
a native of the county, and urged me to undertake 
the task which he had previously engaged in, but 
for which he had never obtained any" material 
information, nor possessed any other qualification 
than good intention. He had received a few 
pounds from different subscribers, and therefore 
felt himself bound to produce a work conformable 
to his prospectus, and calculated to redeem his 
credit. Though, like himself, I was but little 
qualified for the duties of a Topographer,— 
for I had neither studied the subject, nor was I 
acquainted with any person to whom I could 

now published, but on a larger scale than at that time . 
proposed. 

“ It is the earnest desire and wish of the person who 
received those subscriptions, (and at whose instance the 
present work is published,) that the subscribers may be satis¬ 
fied in any way they think proper ; either in being allowed 
the subscription money out of the price of the work, or in any 
other manner they may choose to require. 

“ Copies, on large and small paper, may be seen at Mr. 
Hood’s, bookseller. Poultry ; J. Wheble’s, the County Chro¬ 
nicle Office, Warwick Square, London; at Mr. Collins’s and 
Mr. Easton’s, Salisbury; and at Mr. Cruttwell’s and Mr. 
Meyler’s, Bath ; from either of whom the work may be had, 
on producing receipts, and payment of the remainder of the 
price thereof. 

" Fine paper copies, 2 vols. royal 8vo 

** Small paper do. 


£1 16 0 

1 4 0.” 




FIRST TOUR INTO WALES. 


33 


apply for advice or assistance,—yet without either 
rudder, compass, or chart, I was, however, hardy 
enough to put to sea, and was more indebted to 
the flowing tide of chance, and to the fair wind 
of indulgence, that ! ever reached a safe port, 
than to any skill or talents of my own. The 
account of Wiltshire, in the “ Magna Britan¬ 
nia,” was all the printed materials furnished 
me by Mr. Wheble ; but that is not a work cal¬ 
culated to initiate a novice into the science of 
Topography, nor yet to afford him an attractive 
example for popular writing. To me it was not 
only wholly uninteresting, but almost unintel¬ 
ligible, so peculiar, technical, and distinctive is 
topography, when compared with the classes of 
miscellaneous literature to which I had been pre¬ 
viously devoted. Moritz’s “ Travels in England” 
on foot, had engaged my attention: about this 
time, Warner’s “ Walks in Wales” were popular, 
and Pratt’s “ Gleanings” obtained much noto¬ 
riety. Indeed, these works so much captivated 
my inexperienced mind, that I regarded them as 
models of excellence, and fancied that a walk 
through Wales would be one of the greatest 
treats in existence, and would also qualify me 
for writing tours, or topographical essays. Ac¬ 
cordingly, (after having engaged with Mr. Hood, 
a respectable publisher in the Poultry, to write or 



34 


PREFACE. 


compile,—for he was indifferent which, — “ The 
Beauties of England and Wales,”) Mr. Brayley 
and myself made a pedestrian tour from London, 
through several of the midland and western 
counties, into North Wales, in the summer and 
autumn of 1799; and having perambulated every 
county in that division of the Principality, we 
returned through Cheshire, &c. to the metropolis. 
The experience acquired during this laborious, 
but highly interesting and amusing journey, in 
the course of which we visited all the chief objects 
of curiosity within the line of our progress, was 
of great use when we seriously commenced the 
fulfilment of our literary engagements, on return¬ 
ing home. 

We then proceeded to finish the two volumes 
of “ The Beauties of Wiltshire,” and also began 
the account of Bedfordshire , for “ the Beauties of 
England and Wales.” It was now that we first 
obtained a due conception of the importance of 
the task we had undertaken, and we experienced 
much difficulty in satisfying our own minds as to 
the accuracy and originality of the information 
we were upon the eve of communicating to the 
public. Having wholly attached ourselves to 
literature, it occurred to us, that we had a cha¬ 
racter both to obtain and to support, and that 
the exercise of a strong judgment and much 


BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND” COMMENCED. 35 


attention was necessary, in order to enable us to 
complete our labours with success and honour. 
We discovered, also, that during our tour we 
had inconsiderately commenced our researches at 
the wrong end of the kingdom; and that our 
topographical notes , and other memoranda of the 
counties which, according to the plan of the 
work, were the first to be described, were by far 
too meagre for the gratification of antiquarian 
curiosity. Our publisher, however, was of a 
different opinion, and urged us forward, by 
stating that such works did not require much 
original matter, — that there were plenty of pub¬ 
lications to copy from and abridge,—and that he 
only required the “ Beauties .” 

In proportion as we read, thought, and con¬ 
versed on the subject, we became more and more 
persuaded of the necessity of visiting places, in 
order to describe them, and of studying and 
analysing every account we could obtain, before 
we ventured to write a new one. These ideas 
led to a new arrangement; and late in the 
season, and during the printing of the topogra¬ 
phical notices of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, and 
Buckinghamshire, I was induced to visit many 
places in those counties, and transmit “ church 
notes,” and other memoranda, to my coadjutor 
in town. In these journeys, I fortunately ob¬ 
tained introductions to, and acquaintance with. 



36 


PREFACE. 


gentlemen who proved themselves both com¬ 
petent and willing to assist the work, and who 
opened to us many new sources of information. 

During the progress of the first volume of the 
“ Beauties of England,” which is certainly very 
slight and imperfect, when compared with our 
subsequent labours, we gradually and almost 
imperceptibly acquired, not only a knowledge of 
the essential branches of topography, but also 
a relish, and even partiality, for its details. The 
reproofs of some critics, among whom was the 
late amiable Mr. Gough, and the partial (yet, 
perhaps, not altogether undeserved) approbation 
of others, gave a new impulse to our exertions, 
and made us increase in diligence, and be more 
scrupulous in execution.^ These feelings, in¬ 
deed, gave origin to the “ Architectural Anti¬ 
quities," which work was commenced in conse¬ 
quence of the disapproval, on the part of our 
publisher, of Antiquarian Subjects and Prints. 
He contended, that the “ Beauties” of a country 
consisted in its fine seats, picturesque scenery, 
&c., and that antiquities and natural curiosities 

# As the work proceeded, Mr. Brayley travelled over 
Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Durham, Hertfordshire, Hun¬ 
tingdonshire, Kent, and other Counties, for the purpose of 
making notes and obtaining information ; and Devonshire, 
Cornwall, Essex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, &c. 
were visited by me for similar purposes. 


ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES” BEGUN. 37 


ought not to be introduced; but our experience 
and sentiments led to a contrary result, and 
hence differences, and even warm contentions, 
arose between us, although we had in some 
measure provided for the introduction of what 
we considered to be as fully, if not more 
interesting, by inserting the word, “ Delinea¬ 
tions” in our prospectus and title-page. 

In this state of affairs, I obtained two very 
respectable publishers to join me in the “ Ar¬ 
chitectural Antiquities,” and with them X am 
not aware of ever having had any dispute. The 
whole management devolved on myself, and the 
work has proved most singularly successful. 
Mr. Brayley, about the same time, planned and 
commenced a work called the “ Antiquarian and 
Topographical Cabinet,” which became very 
popular; but which, from many adverse cir¬ 
cumstances, he was constrained to sell at its 
very commencement.^ 

The “ Architectural Antiquities” were nine 
years and two months in progress, and extended 
to four large quarto volumes, which comprise 
278 engravings, with a very large portion of 

# It was purchased by the engravers, Messrs. Greig and 
Storer, who are reported to have cleared 5000/. by its 
success; and it is now republishing, by the latter, in another 
form. This * e Cabinet” has given rise to several other graphic 
works, of the same size and mode of execution. 


38 


PREFACE. 


letter-press. The whole cost the proprietors 
more than 8,000/. A few of the articles were 
written by friends who had studied the respec¬ 
tive subjects, and who were w r ell qualified to 
develop their history. In the Preface to the 
last Volume, it is asserted—and with truth—that 
the execution of the work was progressively 
improved, in every department, as it advanced.* 

* The passage is as follows :— u Since its commencement, 
almost every necessary article and luxury of life has increased, 
in price, and among these all the component parts of a book 
have been advanced in a more than common ratio. The 
paper, printing, drawings, and engravings, used in the 
present volume, have risen, at least one-third, above the 
prices of the same articles used in the first volume; yet, there 
has been no additional charge made to the purchaser/’ “ As 
long as I continue to trouble the antiquarian world with 
embellished works, it is my determination to profit by ex¬ 
perience ; to emulate the best, and endeavour to satisfy my 
own judgment, and gratify that of men of knowledge and 
science. To deserve and secure the approbation of the 
honest and discriminating critic, has impelled me to perse¬ 
verance and exertion, and to obtain it will be the most 
permanent reward.” Again, in the Preface to my volume 
on ** Font-hill Abbey,” I w^as induced to write, “ As many 
of the purchasers of this volume may not be acquainted 
with my other literary works, and may be deterred from 
looking at them from prejudices against the dulness of 
antiquarian subjects, generally, I trust it will not be 
deemed impertinent or improper to state, that although my 
historical and descriptive essays must necessarily contain 
some technicality of language, and cannot possess the 


ORIGIN OP THE CHRONOLOGICAL ANTIQUITIES. 39 


The work above described, was intended to 
be, and is, chiefly a miscellaneous collection of 
picturesque views of ancient buildings, but a 
few plans, sections, and elevations, were occa¬ 
sionally introduced in the course of publication. 
During its progress, being continually at a loss 
for some elementary and scientific illustration of 
the distinctive forms and principles of the 
“ Ancient Architecture of Great Britain,” I 
was induced to commence a “ Chronological ” 
volume on the subject. This includes an account 
of the origin and progress of the various styles 
of building employed in our Ecclesiastical Edi- 

interest and pathos of poetry or of the well-written novel, 
yet I have endeavoured to adapt the style and matter of 
those essays to almost every class of readers. In the his¬ 
tories of the Castles and Ancient Mansions of the Country, 
(see “ Architectural Antiquities,” vol. ii.) will be found many 
anecdotes and facts illustrative of the manners and customs 
of our ancestors ; and the splendid and truly interesting 
Cathedrals of our island furnish abundant materials for 
illustrating the progress of the arts and sciences, the history 
of architecture and sculpture, and the influence of monastic 
rites and customs. Biographical anecdotes of eminent and 
illustrious personages are necessarily connected with the 
subject. These are themes of no common or trivial nature, 
and can scarcely be said to be uninteresting or unimportant 
to any person. If an author properly appreciates them, and 
has talents to do justice to their varied characteristics, his 
writings, accompanied by scientific and picturesque illus¬ 
trations, cannot fail of making lasting impressions on the 
feelings^; fancy, and judgment of the reader.” 


40 


PREFACE. 


iices, illustrated by eighty-six prints, in which 
examples are given of the varieties of ancient 
buildings now remaining in this country, in 
views, plans, elevations, sections, and details. 
It also contains a dictionary of Architectural 
terms, and particularly of those explanatory of 
the different parts of our ancient churches. 

On completing the “ Architectural Anti¬ 
quities, 75 I commenced another work, under the 
title of “ The Cathedral Antiquities of England 
and then stated, that both publications would be 
“ expressly devoted to the same subject, and 
would jointly tend to illustrate the arts, customs, 
and religious and civil peculiarities of our an¬ 
cestors, in their various stages of progressive 
civilisation and refinement. The Architectural 
Antiquities constitute a complete and regular 
work; and each Cathedral will also form a 
specific volume. 77 

The histories, descriptions, and illustrations 
of eight Cathedrals have now been published, 
and have cost the proprietors more than 10,000/. 
To me it is a source of high gratification to 
know, that they have all been uniformly praised 
by the periodical critics, and generally approved 
by Architects and Antiquaries. Such, however, 
has been the necessary expenditure and the 
liberality of the publishers in the execution of 
this work, that they are now many hundreds 




TOPOGRAPHICAL CRITICISMS. 


41 


of* pounds in advance; yet of some Cathedrals, 
more than one thousand copies have been sold. 
Undismayed we proceed, and, if health and life 
be granted, I hope to prove, that the volumes 
now in progress, devoted to the Cathedrals of 
Exeter and Peterborough , will equal, if not 
surpass, any of the preceding, in every depart¬ 
ment of their execution. 

In addition to the publications thus enume¬ 
rated, and others mentioned in the list, at the 
end of this volume, it is proper to state, that 
I wrote and directed all the topographical 
articles respecting England, Wales, and Scot¬ 
land, in Dr. Rees’s “ Cyclopaedia f commencing 
at the word Avebury. 

Nearly all the critical essays on topogra¬ 
phical books, in the seven volumes of Aikin’s 
“ Annual Review ,” were from my pen; and 
as these strictures were dictated, as well by 
a desire of doing justice to every writer, as of 
advancing the science, and were free from undue 
partiality and from that severity of censure 
which too often attaches to anonymous criticism, 
I need not be ashamed to own them. Besides, 
this task of criticising my rivals and friends 
proved of infinite advantage to myself. I was 
induced to review my own works, analyse their 
style, sentiments, and pretensions, and diligently 
study to improve my mind and taste, the better 


42 


PREFACE. 


to qualify myself for the delicate and difficult 
task in which I was engaged. 

A small volume, devoted to the “ History of 
Corsham House ,” and to an account of its once 
famed collection of pictures, was published by 
me, and has long been out of print. 

In a pamphlet, intituled “ The Rights of 
Literature ,” I endeavoured to direct the attention 
of our legislators and the literati to a subject 
which really disgraces the former, and impeaches 
the patriotism of the latter. I mean the iniqui¬ 
tous enactment which compels every author who 
publishes a book, whatever may be its nature, 
quality, merits, or value, to give away ELEVEN 
copies to so many public and affluent institutions. 

Suffering as I have done, and continue to do, 
by this very partial , unjust, and oppressive act, 
I have publicly appealed against it,—have shewn 
its sophistry, in professing to be “ for the en¬ 
couragement of learning and literature,”—and 
have proved that it is at variance with the 
best principles of English jurisprudence, by 
levying an exorbitant tax on that literature 
which it professes to protect; and as long as I 
have power to wield a pen, it shall be employed 
in endeavouring to obtain an abolition of this 
obnoxious Statute. 

In writing “ Remarks on the Life and Dra¬ 
matic Productions of Shakspeare,” for Whit- 


SHAKSPEARE: — FONT-HILL. 


43 


tingham’s beautiful edition of that inestimable 
author’s works, I employed some time, and 
derived much pleasure. Of such a man, and 
of such a writer, it is not only astonishing, 
but almost incredible, that all is mystery and 
obscurity. It seems as if fame, anticipating 
his unparalleled celebrity, and jealous of being 
almost wholly engrossed by the praises of one, 
when her favours were courted by, and belonged 
to, thousands, had destroyed every letter, record, 
and tangible memorial relating to the Bard of 
England , at his decease. His works, however, 
will last for ever; they are the property of the 
world, — and can only be lost or forgotten in 
the general wreck of the “ great globe itself.” 

Font-hill Abbey, and its spacious and pic¬ 
turesque grounds, were known to me for some 
years before they acquired marked celebrity; 
but, on the announcement for sale, in 1822, of 
the splendid contents of the mansion, public 
curiosity was excited to an extraordinary degree. 
Thousands of persons from all parts of the British 
islands, and even from foreign nations, flocked in 
crowds to view this “ fairy palace in the woods,” 
as it was then termed. I was tempted to write 
a quarto volume on the subject, and to have 
several plates engraved in order to illustrate the 
building and its scenic accompaniments. This 
volume I published on my own account, without 


44 


PREFACE. 


the co-partnership of a bookseller, and conse¬ 
quently had not only the cares and labours of 
authorship to sustain, but likewise all the details 
of business connected with the subject to attend 
to and direct: these are not trifling, nor are they 
all of a pleasing nature. Though this speculation 
proved successful, it occasioned me much sorrow, 
for I was imposed upon, deceived, and injured 
by persons whom I had treated as friends. 

“ A Catalogue Raisonne of the Cleveland 
House Gallery f in one volume octavo, was un¬ 
dertaken by me, from a partiality to the fine 
arts, and with a view of studying the works 
of so many masters and schools as are pre¬ 
served in the extensive and valuable collection of 
the Marquis of Stafford. This volume, as well as 
those devoted to Font-hill Abbey, and Corsham 
House, and the pamphlet on the Rights of 
Literature, have long been out of print; —a 
phrase peculiarly pleasing to an author’s ears. 

In a quarto volume, intituled “ The Fine 
Arts of the English School I wrote a Memoir 
of Wilson, the Painter; also remarks on the 
characteristic merits of Reynolds and Gains¬ 
borough, and other Essays. 

For the “ Magazine of Fine Arts” I penned 
some Essays; and for “ the Architects' and Anti¬ 
quaries' Club” to which I have acted as Hono¬ 
rary Secretary for six years, I wrote three “ Ad- 



INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS. 


45 


dresses/’ which have been printed for the use of 
the Members. 

Though these various literary works have 
not been executed without very great labour, 
solicitude, and perseverance, yet I have found 
time to act as Honorary Secretary, for six years, 
to the Wiltshire Society in London, and have 
bestowed both zeal and money towards esta¬ 
blishing and supporting that institution, which 
is expressly founded to aid and assist indigent 
but deserving boys, from the county of Wilts. 
In my boyish days, I should have regarded such 
a society as a parent and friend; and it will 
have more than my good wishes in the evening 
of life. As a Manager to one literary institution, 
and a Director, &c. to another, my time and 
zeal have also been often exercised; and I trust 
that both may still further be devoted to them ; 
for deriving, as I have done, much pleasure and 
profit from literature, I am fully disposed to 
promote, to the best of my abilities, all societies 
and plans that are founded for literary objects, 
and for the protection and reward of men of 
talent. These, however, are not my only occu¬ 
pations,* for as a commissioner, clerk, and sur¬ 
veyor, I have frequent demands on my time and 
attention. 

My good father considered me an idle boy, 
and I believe always disliked me ; but he was 


48 


PREFACE. 


very partial to my next brother., Thomas, because 
he was ever willing to work, Thomas could 
drudge on, at any task, from morning till night, 
and had no avidity for play or boyish pastimes. 
On the contrary, I was ever eager after sports 
and amusements of all kinds, and as eager to 
excel all my playmates at each childish game. 
Many anecdotes are fresh in my memory on 
these points of comparison, which, if detailed, 
would serve to illustrate the natural dispositions 
and characteristics of youth, as tending to indi¬ 
cate the future capacities of manhood. Holcroft, 
in his own “ Memoirs/’ has given some inte¬ 
resting traits of himself in infancy ;—but I must 
check my pen, being fearful of rendering that 
narrative tedious, which I meant only as ex¬ 
planatory of my more recent occupations, and 
as exculpatory of the delay attending the present 
volume. 

“ I cannot too seriously declare/’ says 
Holcroft, (Memoirs, i. 57.) “ that I wrote these 
Memoirs with a conscientious desire to say 
nothing but the pure truth, the chief intention 
of them being to excite an ardent emulation in 
the hearts of youthful readers, by shewing them 
how difficulties may be endured, how they may 
be overcome, and how they may at last contri¬ 
bute, as a school of instruction, to bring forth 
hidden talent.” 


APOLOGETICAL REMARKS. 


47 


The present unpremeditated memoir lias 
been hastily written, and originated in the per¬ 
suasion, that candour and sincerity in an author 
are best calculated to secure the confidence of 
his readers. The story it unfolds has traits of 
novelty and peculiarity, which cannot fail to 
amuse and even instruct some persons, although 
it may excite a contemptuous feeling in the 
proud and supercilious. Whilst the latter, how¬ 
ever, are as much below my regard, as the man 
of candour and liberality is deserving of my 
esteem, I shall neither be ashamed to acknow¬ 
ledge my parentage, nor to avow my progress 
in life, being fully convinced, that to advocate 
the cause of emulation and industry is the most 
efficient means of advancing the best interests of 
mankind. We are good or bad, great or humble, 
illustrious or insignificant, only by comparison ; 
and whilst a Shakspeare, a Franklin, a Johnson, 
a Goldsmith, a Gifford, and a Garrick, although 
of obscure birth, are justly applauded and ho¬ 
noured in the annals of our country, I cannot 
consider it either as ill-timed or disgraceful to 
relate whence I came, what I have done, and 
who I am;—but were I to expatiate on the 
latter points, it might be construed into vanity. 
I could further say that I consider myself both 
rich and happy—my riches consist in paying my 
way, exemption from debt, in having many com- 



48 PREFACE. 

forts around me, particularly a large library, well 
stored with the highest treasures of intellect 
in literary composition and graphic execution, 
and in a conviction, that the remainder of 
my life will enable me to increase these com¬ 
forts, and even to obtain a few luxuries. Pos¬ 
sessing a disposition to regard every feature of 
Nature with admiration, and to derive delight 
from every page in her immense volume of 
genius and of wisdom; partial to Art , in her 
various departments of painting, sculpture, 
architecture, and engraving; still more inte¬ 
rested in, and fascinated by, the writings of 
our best authors, it would be strange if these 
sources did not add to, if not wholly consti¬ 
tute, happiness. An affectionate and amiable 
wife, the esteem xrf many good and estimable 
men, an intimacy, I hope friendship, with 
several eminent and distinguished personages, 
are, with me, additional grounds for happiness. 
It is commonly said, that envy and jealousy 
belong to, and tend to degrade, the literary 
character. From my own feelings and expe¬ 
rience, I can safely say, that authorship is more 
exempt from these degrading passions, than 
many other professions. I envy no one, hate 
no one, and pity and forgive those who have 
harboured such ignoble feelings towards me. 
“ In speaking thus of myself/’ quoting my own 


APOLOGETICAL REMARKS. 


49 


words, “ I hope to be pardoned: without any 
other feeling of egotism than is excited by a 
solicitude to deserve the confidence of the reader; 
to explain, and have my intentions and sentiments 
clearly understood ; to obviate misunderstanding, 
and guard against misrepresentation, — I have 
been impelled to detail” the preceding narrative, 
in this place. 

If this “ unvarnished tale” fail to conciliate 
the favourable opinion of any reader who has 
reproached me for neglecting, or rather delaying, 
the present volume, I am unable to adduce a 
better argument. “ The Beauties of Wiltshire,” 
is now, however, completed. I have endea¬ 
voured to redeem my pledge to the public, to 
fulfil every bond of engagement, and to afford 
my readers the best and most accurate infor¬ 
mation in my power, respecting the places and 
persons that have come under review. 


FINIS. 


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Catfce&ral anttqutttesf. 


By JOHN BRITTON, F.S.A., &c. &c. 


1. THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF SALISBURY 

CATHEDRAL, illustrated by 31 Engravings by J. and H. Le Keux, &c. from 
Drawings by Mackenzie, R. Cattermole, &c., and 3 Wood-cuts ; also 114 Pages 

of Letter-press—31. 3s. Medium 4to_51. 5s. Imperial 4to_111. Royal Folio ; and 

81. Crown folio. 

“ Mr. Britton traces the History of Salisbury Cathedral with care and attention; he places under 
our inspection not merely prospects of the edifice generally, but also views of the most striking objects it 
contains, as well interior as exterior: and to these he adds details of particular parts, such as in his judg¬ 
ment merit this distinction. The whole is executed with great care, and we doubt not with equal ac¬ 
curacy. The former works of the author are security for his attention to the present; which, if we are 
not mistaken, will prove of greater magnitude than any which he has so happily accomplished.”— Literary 
Panorama, Jan . 1816. * 

2. THE HISTORY, &c. OF NORWICH CATHEDRAL, consists 

of 24 Engravings by the same Artists, one Wood-cut, and 94 pages of Letter-press.— 
21. 10s. Medium 4to_41. 4s. Imperial 4to_Gl. 6s. Crown folio; and 81. 8s. Super¬ 

royal folio. 

3. THE HISTORY, &c. OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL, 

consists of 142 pages of Letter-press, and 30 Engravings, from Drawings by E. Blore. 
Same price as Salisbury. 

4. THE HISTORY, &e. OF THE METROPOLITAN CHURCH 

OF YORK, is illustrated by 34 Engravings, by J. and H. Le Keux, &c. from Draw¬ 
ings by E. Blore and F. Mackenzie —31. 12s. Medium 4to— 61. Imperial 4to; 
and 121. 12s. Royal folio. 

5. THE HISTORY, &e. OF LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL, illus¬ 
trated by Sixteen Engravings, by the same Artists, from Drawings byF. Mackenzie, 
&c. and 74 pages of Letter-press.—11. 18s. Medium 4to—31. 3s. Imperial 4to; and 61. 
Royal folio. 

6. THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF OXFORD CATHE¬ 

DRAL, with 11 Engravings by and from the same Artists—11. 4s. Medium 4to_ 

21. 2s. Imperial 4to ; and 41. Royal folio. 

7. THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE METROPO¬ 
LITAN CHURCH OF CANTERBURY ; illustrated by 26 Engravings by L. Le 
Keux, Sands, &c. from Drawings by Edward Cresy, Esq. F.S.A., G. L. Taylor, 
Esq. F.S.A., Architects, and G. Cattermole —31. 3s. Medium 4to—51.5s. Imperial 
4to; and 101. 10s. Super-royal folio. 

8. THE HISTORY, &c. OF WELLS CATHEDRAL, illustrated 

by 24 Engravings by J. and H. Le Keux, Sands, Narrall, &c. from Original 
Drawings_21. 10s. Medium 4to,; 41. 4s. Imperial 4to,; and 121. 12s. Royal folio. 

Of the above Works only a very few perfect copies remain on hand. The 
Author pledges himself that the large paper will never be reprinted; and he cannot 
promise that the impressions of the plates for the second edition of the small paper can 
be equal to those already worked. 

9. THE HISTORY, &c. OF EXETER CATHEDRAL, will follow 

that of Wells. It will be comprised in Four Numbers, and will be illustrated by 
at least 22 Engravings, two of which are published. 

\* Of the Cathedral Antiquities 10 Sets are worked in Super¬ 
royal Folio, with Proofs and Etchings of the Plates on India Paper; 
and 15 Sets of the same size, Proofs. The Folio Copy, for Paper, Typo¬ 
graphy, and Embellishments, ranks among the very finest publications of 
this or any other Country. 

The Drawings of Lichfield, Oxford, Canterbury, and 
Wells Cathedrals, with Folio Copies of each Work, and Proofs and 
Etchings, are for Sale. 



grtfuterttual 8ntfquttfe0 of ©itglanii. 

By JOHN BRITTON, F.S.A., &c. &c. 


10. THE ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES OF GREAT BRI¬ 
TAIN ; consisting of Two Hundred and Seventy-eiglit Engravings, of Castles, 
Churches, Old Mansions, Crosses, &c. &c. with Historical and Descriptive Accounts 
of each Subject; 4 Vols. Medium 4to. Twenty Guineas—Large Paper, 321. 

11. CHRONOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS 
of the ANCIENT ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE OF GREAT BRI¬ 
TAIN ; to consist of Eighty-Six Prints of Plans, Elevations, Sections, Views, and 
Details of several Edifices, with ample Historical and Descriptive Accounts of each. 
To he comprised in Eleven Numbers, Ten of which are published, at 12s. each. 
Medium 4to ; and 11. Imperial 4to. ; the Eleventh Number will be charged at 6s. 
small, and 10s. large Paper, and will be completed in 1825. 

In this Volume the Buildings will be classed and arranged in Chronological Order, whereby the progres¬ 
sive and almost imperceptible changes of style will be defined. From the earliest Specimens to the reign of 
Elizabeth, almost every variety of Design, and every successive novelty, will be displayed; and these will 
be engraved in Plan, Section, Elevation, and Perspective View, for the purpose of accurate and satisfac¬ 
tory Delineation. By this mode, it is presumed that a Grammar of English Architecture will be provided 
for the young Student, and its Elements will be plainly and amply developed. A Dictionary of Terms, 
with Definitions, &c. will be added. 

12. THE HISTORY AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF REDCLIFFE 

CHURCH, Bristol, with Twelve Engravings of Plans, Views, and Details, and a Me¬ 
moir of Chatterton, &c_Royal 8vo, 16s—Imperial 4to, 11. 11s. 6d. 

“ srijou setst tljis miistcrn of a fjuman Ijantf, 

£Ffie pritfc of Bristotoc anti tlje toestern lanij.” 

13. THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF BATH ABBEY 

CHURCH ; with Ten Engravings, by J. and H. Le Keux, from Drawings by 

Mackenzie, &c _Royal 8vo, 20s—Medium 4to, 11. 11s. 6d—Imperial 4to, 21. 2s. 

Inscribed to the memory of the Rev. John Jos. Conybeare, who wrote a very inter¬ 
esting Essay on Epitaphs for this Work, with examples from the Church. 

14. THE BEAUTIES OF WILTSHIRE, Vol. III. is now published. 

It is principally devoted to North Wiltshire ; and comprises accounts of Malmesbury 
and Lacocfc Abbeys , Avebury , and several other Towns, Seats, Antiquities, &c.; 
copious Indexes, a Catalogue of Wiltshire Topography, &c.; a Map of the County, 
and 14 other Engravings. A small number of copies only are printed, therefore early 
application should be made by those who wish to complete the Set. Price 11. 4s. small, 
and 11. 16s. large Paper, with proofs of the plates. 

15. SPECIMENS OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE; selected from 

various ancient Edifices in England; consisting of Plans, Elevations, Sections, and 
Parts at large ; calculated to exemplify the various Styles, and the practical Construc¬ 
tion of this Class of admired Architecture—accompanied by historical and descriptive 
Accounts. The Drawings by A. Pugin, Architect; and the Engravings, in Outline, 
by J. Le Keux, Turrel, &c. The literary part by E. J. Wilson. Vol. I. con¬ 
tains 60 Engravings, with a Glossary of Technical Terms. The two Vols. Medium 
4to, 6 Guineas, and 9 Guineas Imperial 4to. 

This work is adapted to furnish practical and useful Information to the Architect, 
Builder, Cabinet-Maker, &c. as well as to the critical Antiquary and Connoisseur. 

NOW PUBLISHING. 

16. ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PUBLIC 

BUILDINGS OF LONDON ; dedicated by permission to the King. Accompanied 
by historical and descriptive Accounts. By J. Britton, F.S.A. &c. and A. Pugin, 
Architect. 

This Work is printed in Medium and Royal Octavo, and will be produced periodi¬ 
cally, in Numbers, at 5s. each, small, and 8s. large Paper. Each Number contains 
Seven Plates, engraved in Outline, and about Two Sheets of Letter-press. The whole 
will be comprised in Twenty Numbers, forming two handsome Volumes. Proofs on 
India Paper, 4to, at 14s. per Number. The First Volume , in ten Numbers , is just 
completed , and Numbers XI. and XII. of Volume II. 

17. ENGRAVED SPECIMENS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL 

ANTIQUITIES OF NORMANDY; edited by J. Britton, F.S.A.; Drawings 
by A. Pugin, Architect; Engravings by J. and H. Le Keux. See Prospectus. 


PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW ; THE AUTHOR, 
BURTON STREET ; AND J. TAYLOR, 09 HIGH 1IQLBORN, LONDON. 














